This is an archived copy of the 2013-14 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.mtmercy.edu.

Academic Policies

Academic/Administrative Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures

Grievances may arise in the following areas or situations:

Allegations of inadequate supervision or instruction which the student feels hinders his or her ability to function adequately.
Disagreement with an evaluation of classroom or clinical performance.
Disagreement with faculty’s decision regarding discontinuation of progression in the program(s) in question.
Disagreement with decision of faculty or administration in other categories that would delay or prohibit progression in the program(s).
Disagreements with Mount Mercy administrators and/or Mount Mercy administrative staff members.

Required Steps Before Initiating a Formal Grievance

Within 15 working days of the alleged injustice the student may initiate a conference with the involved person or persons to determine if he/she can resolve the problem(s) at this level. If the student decides not to initiate such a conference, he/she may not initiate a formal grievance.
A response from the involved faculty/administrative personnel to the student must be given within five (5) working days.
If the student considers the response unacceptable and inconsistent with the alleged injustice, the student is to inform the involved faculty and/or Mount Mercy administrative staff member(s) within five (5) working days that the response is considered unjust.
Then, if the student chooses, the student may initiate a grievance conference with the departmental chairperson or supervisor to whom the faculty/administrative personnel involved is responsible. A response to the student from the designated departmental chairperson or supervisor is due within five (5) working days of the latter’s receipt of the student’s request for a grievance conference.

Formal Grievance Procedure

The formal written “Statement of Grievance” is to be submitted to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) within ten (10) working days following the student’s grievance conference with the chairperson or supervisor. The student may select an uninvolved faculty member to assist him/her in working through the steps of the grievance procedure.
The formal “Statement of Grievance” must include:
1. the date(s), time(s) of day, and setting relevant to the alleged injustice and names of the person or persons involved.
2. the nature of the problem and alleged injustice.
3. a narrative, objective description of events relevant to the grievance.
4. the student’s previous attempts to resolve the problem and the specific results of those attempts.
5. objective assessment(s) with documentation concerning specific aspects of the alleged, initial injustice and subsequent responses from involved faculty member(s) and/or administrative personnel.
Within five (5) working days following Step 1 of the formal grievance procedure, the VPAA has the responsibility to convene a committee that will hear both sides. This committee shall consist of persons representing the following categories:
1. VPAA serves, with no vote, as chair of the grievance committee. All other members shall vote.
2. one full-time Mount Mercy faculty selected by the student.
3. one full-time Mount Mercy faculty member selected by involved faculty or administrative staff member.
4. one student representative, selected by the student, from the same class, specialty, or major field as the student.
5. the chairperson or supervisor of the department involved.
6. Mount Mercy’s Equal Opportunity Officer representative, if different from all of the above.
  1. Note: The student and the involved other individual have the responsibility for informing the VPAA of the name of each person selected by each of them within one (1) working day of the student’s distribution of the Statement of Grievance.
Student shall receive the written recommendation of the committee, postmarked no later than three (3) working days after the final meeting of the committee. Copies of the recommendation shall also be sent to the involved faculty member/staff and the department chairperson or supervisor.
The committee chairperson shall also send the committee’s recommendation to the President, who shall report in writing, normally within five (5) working days, his decision to the parties concerned. The President’s decision is final.
In cases where the “Statement of Grievance” occurs towards the end of a term and committee members are not able to convene, the above-mentioned procedure will require special modification by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. This may include but is not limited to modifications in the timeline for responding at each level of the process and may involve a reconfiguration of committee membership so that decisions are rendered in an equitable manner.

Academic Integrity Policy

Introduction

Mount Mercy values integrity and honesty in all aspects of academics and campus life. As part of the academic mission, the institution provides the following Definitions and Procedures for which all students are responsible. The Mount Mercy community encourages all students to carefully consider these definitions, to adhere to these standards, and to ask for guidance if in doubt.

Definitions of Cheating, Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct

Cheating: Cheating is an act or an attempted act of dishonesty that includes but is not limited to the following:

Copying:
- another person’s work, in whole or in part, in an examination or for an assignment, with or without their consent, or
- allowing another person to copy your work, in whole or in part, on an examination or for an assignment.
Using unauthorized materials or technology:
- a. during an examination. (Examples would be answers passed to you, view of a calculator output, or text messages on a cell phone; however, other instances may apply).
- b. to complete an assignment.
Collaboration during an assignment or during an examination when prohibited by the instructor.
Taking an examination for another person or letting a person take an exam for you.
Completing an assignment for another person or letting a person complete an assignment for you.
Forging needed signatures on academic work.
Altering of grades or other official educational records.
Obtaining a copy of an examination without permission from the class instructor.
Fabricating or falsifying information or data; or deliberately misrepresenting information for an assignment.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is using somebody else’s words, expression of ideas, data, images, or other creative products without acknowledgment or attribution. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to the following:

Copying, paraphrasing, or blending words, images, or ideas that are not common knowledge without acknowledging the source.
Providing false, insufficient or incomplete acknowledgment of sources.
Claiming authorship of a work that is not one’s own or that is the result of unauthorized joint effort, including purchasing, downloading, or otherwise acquiring the work.
Improper use of quotations.
Incomplete or improper use of citations.

Academic Misconduct: Academic Misconduct includes acts that are considered unethical, dishonest, deceitful or inappropriate. Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to the following:

Attempting to gain an advantage over another individual by preventing access to needed books, materials, or aids.
Planning with another individual to commit any act of academic dishonesty.
Forging signatures on official institutional documents.
Breaking or entering an office or building to attempt to obtain an exam or other materials.
Submitting the same work for different classes without disclosure to and approval from the class instructor.
Receiving credit on group assignments without contributing.
Misrepresenting illness or personal crises, or otherwise intentionally misleading instructors as an excuse for missed or late academic work.

Academic cheating, plagiarism, and misconduct may be referred to collectively as “Academic Dishonesty.” There are varying degrees of academic dishonesty. Suggested consequences for infractions are included below in order to promote consistency and equity.
Mount Mercy reserves the right to act upon incidents of academic dishonesty that are not explicitly defined in the above policy.

Procedures

Faculty and Student Commitment To Policy

Students will sign an acknowledgment at the beginning of their enrollment at Mount Mercy that they have been informed of Mount Mercy’s Academic Integrity Policy. At the initial registration, each student will receive a copy of the policy and will sign an acknowledgment form to be retained in the advising folder.

Students will sign a form with the following language:

I have been informed that Mount Mercy has an Academic Integrity Policy.
As part of the Academic Integrity Policy, definitions for cheating, plagiarism, and academic misconduct are provided, along with a list of possible consequences for committing these violations.
I understand that violations of the Academic Integrity Policy are subject to serious consequences.
I understand that the Academic Integrity Policy provides procedures for resolving disputes regarding academic dishonesty.
I am aware that this policy is available for review in both the Good Book and on myCampus.

All instructors are expected to cultivate integrity on campus and to affirm Mount Mercy’s policy by introducing and discussing the Definitions of Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct at the beginning of each course and directing students to sources where the definitions can be found. Instructors should speak to the particular ways that Mount Mercy’s Academic Integrity Policy applies to their courses.

The Academic Integrity Committee

Mount Mercy will form an Academic Integrity Committee to investigate and evaluate cases of suspected Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct as well as to recommend to the Provost methods to promote a culture of academic integrity on campus.

Membership: Three (3) faculty members from three (3) different departments, elected by the faculty annually for staggered two-year terms; an alternate faculty member from a different department; two (2) student representatives from two (2) different majors appointed by the Student Government Association; an alternate student from a major in a different department; Director of the Academic Center for Excellence; and the Provost and Director of Faculty Development, ex-officio. In cases involving students in accelerated programs, the Dean of Adult Programs will serve as a member of the Committee, replacing one faculty member. If the Dean of Adult Programs has a conflict with parties involved, the Assistant Dean of Accelerated Programs will serve as the alternate. Graduate students who have questions should contact the Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies. The voting members will elect co-chairs. During an evaluation of suspected Academic Dishonesty, faculty members or students directly involved in the case or within the same department as the student(s) and faculty involved will excuse themselves and be replaced by their alternates. Members of the committee should recuse themselves from deliberation and decisions if there is a potential conflict of interest, and the alternate will take their place. At least three (3) voting members must be present for the Committee to take formal action.

The Committee will maintain minutes of its meetings.

Suspected Violations of the Academic Integrity Policy

All information regarding cases of suspected or confirmed Academic Dishonesty will be provided to only those with a need to know. Any suspected incident or dispute shall be raised to the appropriate party within five (5) days of obtaining knowledge of the alleged violation. When allegations of academic dishonesty involve two or more students, each student will be evaluated on an individual basis. The following defines procedures, responsibilities and timelines for reporting suspected incidences of Academic Dishonesty.

Informal Faculty Resolution

Mount Mercy encourages faculty members and students to informally resolve incidents of alleged academic dishonesty. Faculty members have the discretion to resolve cases of suspected academic dishonesty or misconduct on their own, including determining the consequence imposed outlined below. Faculty are urged to consult the suggested consequences outlined below. Faculty should check with the Academic Affairs Office to determine if the student(s) in question have a pattern of academic dishonesty before informally resolving a case of academic dishonesty.

A written record of a faculty resolved incident of academic dishonesty or misconduct, signed by the student, will be sent to the Academic Affairs Office by the faculty member. The record will detail the suspected academic dishonesty and the outcome. This report is not for purposes of reviewing an individual incident and resolution, but rather for the Academic Integrity Committee to monitor patterns of dishonesty (i.e., types of cheating, types of resolutions, identifying students who become “repeat offenders”). The Academic Affairs Office will collect and retain these reports solely for purposes of data analysis and pattern monitoring.

Upon accusation of academic dishonesty or misconduct, the student or the faculty member have the right to refer the incident to the department chair or the Academic Integrity Committee.

Department Chair Resolution

The department chair may attempt to mediate and resolve a dispute over the suspected academic dishonesty or misconduct. If either the student or faculty member is not satisfied with the outcome, either party has the right to refer the incident to the Academic Integrity Committee.

A written record of a chair resolved incident of academic dishonesty or misconduct will be sent to the Academic Affairs Office by the chair. The record will detail the suspected academic dishonesty and the outcome, and will be signed by the student. This report is not for purposes of reviewing an individual incident and resolution, but rather for the Academic Integrity Committee to monitor patterns of dishonesty (i.e., types of cheating, types of resolutions, identifying students who become “repeat offenders”).

Academic Integrity Committee Resolution

Referral

Self-Referral: Students who commit acts of academic dishonesty or misconduct may refer themselves to the Provost within five (5) business days of their violation. Students in the accelerated programs may refer themselves to the Advance Office, 207 Basile, and the matter will be forwarded to the VPAA. The incidence will be reported to the instructor as well as the Academic Integrity Committee which will maintain a record of the incident. If agreeable with the instructor, a first offense will not meet with disciplinary action; however, the Committee may refer the student for counseling and/or wish to speak with the student about the offense. The student will still be required to complete the assignment or complete a different assignment after consultation with the instructor. Repeated offenses, although self-reported, will not be tolerated and will require a decision by the Academic Integrity Committee as to appropriate action.
Faculty/Student: In the event that an alleged incident of academic dishonesty or misconduct cannot be resolved informally with the student and faculty member, and/or the department chair, the student or faculty member shall provide written documentation of their concerns to the Provost, within five (5) business days of the faculty member or chair’s decision. Students in the accelerated programs may refer themselves to the Advance Office, 207 Basile, and the matter will be forwarded to the Provost.

Procedure Following Referral to the Academic Integrity Committee

See chart above for a summary of the process.

The Provost shall notify the Academic Integrity Committee within six (6) business days of receipt of a complaint.
The Provost shall notify the interested parties in writing of the specific allegations of Academic Dishonesty within six (6) business days of the referral to the Office of the Provost, including a request for the submission of relevant written materials. Interested parties will then have six (6) business days to submit any relevant materials to the Provost’s office.
The Provost will provide all materials to the Academic Integrity Committee. Upon receipt, the voting members will decide within six (6) business days whether the allegations warrant a hearing. A vote of one of these members will warrant a hearing, otherwise the allegations will be closed because there is not sufficient evidence to proceed.
If a hearing is warranted, the chair will notify all parties and schedule a hearing within ten (10) business days. The chair will contact all parties in writing, through the Provost’s Office, providing a brief statement of why a hearing was not warranted.
Within these ten (10) business days, the Academic Integrity Committee may gather relevant information to the case. The Academic Integrity Committee may solicit information from other students in the class or other members of the Mount Mercy community at their discretion or upon request of any person involved in the allegation. At the hearing, the Academic Integrity Committee will meet with all parties and witnesses. The proceedings will be recorded; this record will be available on a need to know basis and maintained in the Office of Academic Affairs.
If the student wishes to challenge the allegations of Academic Dishonesty, he/she must appear before the Academic Integrity Committee at the hearing. If a student does not appear at the hearing, the student waives all rights of appeal. In the event of a conflicting schedule, a faculty member may choose not to attend the hearing and allow his/her written materials to state his/her side of the case.
If the student wishes to admit to the charges, he/she must state so in writing to the Academic Integrity Committee, which will consult with the student and instructor to determine the appropriate action.
A decision, by majority vote of the voting members present at the hearing, shall be made based on the evidence presented at the hearing, along with other relevant materials gained through investigation by the Academic Integrity Committee. A written letter with findings and recommendations shall be prepared by the Committee and submitted to the Provost, along with copies sent to both parties, within six (6) business days of the hearing. The Committee shall refer to the list below for possible consequences.
Once the findings and recommendations of the Academic Integrity Committee are submitted, within six (6) business days the Provost shall issue a final decision and notify in writing the interested parties and the Academic Integrity Committee. The Provost may consider additional information prior to making the decision.
After receiving the final written decision of the Provost, any party to the dispute may appeal this decision. A written letter summarizing the grounds for contesting this decision must be submitted to the President of Mount Mercy, 210 Warde, within three (3) business days. Within 30 business days, the President shall render a final written decision based upon review of the submitted information, findings, and recommendations. A copy shall be provided to the involved parties, the Provost, and the Academic Integrity Committee. The decision of the President is final.
In cases where an allegation of academic dishonesty is submitted towards the end of a fall, winter, or spring semester and members of the Academic Integrity Committee are not able to convene, the above-mentioned procedure will require special modifications by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. This may include but is not limited to modifications in the timeline for responding at each level of the process and may involve a reconfiguration of the membership of the Academic Integrity Committee so that decisions are rendered in an equitable manner.

Consequences for Academic Dishonesty or Misconduct

Based upon the gravity of the Academic Dishonesty, different academic sanctions may be appropriate. For instance, the nature of the incident and the personal history or prior offenses by an individual student are relevant factors to weigh. A suggested spectrum of offenses and examples are included below. Faculty are urged to consider these suggested sanctions in order to promote consistency
and equity.

Simple offense

Example: Student fails to properly cite sources one or two times in a paper, but the remainder of the paper is cited properly.

Types of Sanctions: The student is given the opportunity to re-do the assignment, or an alternate assignment, for a reduced grade. The student is required to meet with the Director of the Academic Center for Excellence and commit to a plan for improvement.

Serious offense

Examples: Student is caught looking over at another student’s test. Significant parts of a paper are not properly quoted and cited.

Types of Sanctions: The student receives a failing grade for the assignment, but is allowed to continue in the course.

Aggravated offense

Examples: Student submits an entire paper from the Internet that is not his/her own. Organized cheating with multiple students. Stealing tests.

Types of Sanctions: The student receives a failing grade for the course.

Repeated offenses

Example: Student engages in academic misconduct in more than one course.

Note: To monitor this type of misconduct, it is essential that faculty submit Academic Dishonesty Reports for each incident.

Types of Sanctions: Expulsion from Mount Mercy is warranted.

A more complete list of possible consequences is detailed below. One or more consequences may be appropriate.

Counseling: The student(s) may be referred to appropriate counseling for assistance and education that will help prevent future incidences of Academic Dishonesty.
Educational sanction: The student(s) may be required to attend an educational program on academic integrity, ethics, or related subject. The student may receive instructions, re-do the assignment with consultation from the instructor, or complete a new, alternative assignment with consultation from the instructor. The student may be responsible for related expenses, including expenses for education, counseling, or treatment, if any expense is entailed.
Forfeiture of Grade on the Assignment: For the assignment to be given no credit, and the student(s) may continue the class with zero points for the assignment.
Failure of the Course: The student(s) will receive a grade of F for the course.
Exclusion from Mount Mercy facilities or activities: The student(s) may be prohibited from attending a class, undertaking Mount Mercy employment, entering a building, participating in an extracurricular activity sponsored by the institution, representing Mount Mercy in an official capacity, or using other services provided by the institution. Such exclusion may be for a definite or indefinite period of time.
Probation: The student may be placed on probation for Academic Dishonesty. If further incidents of Academic Dishonesty occur, the student will be recommended for expulsion.
Disciplinary suspension: The student(s) may be involuntarily separated from Mount Mercy for a stated period of time after which readmission is possible. The VPAA shall determine when the suspension will become effective. A student with one or more violations may be suspended from Mount Mercy for an indefinite period of time. A student suspended indefinitely may petition the VPAA for reinstatement.
Expulsion: For a serious violation of the Academic Integrity Policy or repeated violations, the student(s) may be dismissed from Mount Mercy permanently.

Graduate Student Grievance Procedure

Grievances may arise in the following areas or situations:

Allegations of inadequate supervision or instruction which the student feels hinders his or her ability to function adequately.
Disagreement with an evaluation of classroom or clinical performance.
Disagreement with faculty’s decision regarding discontinuation of progression in the program(s) in question.
Disagreement with faculty or administration decision in other categories that would delay or prohibit progression in the program(s).
Disagreements with Mount Mercy administrators and/or Mount Mercy administrative staff members.

Required Steps before Initiating a Formal Grievance

Within 15 working days of the alleged injustice the student may initiate a conference with the involved person or persons to determine if he/she can resolve the problem(s) at this level. If the student decides not to initiate such a conference, he/she may not initiate a formal grievance.
A response from the involved faculty/administrative personnel to the student must be given within 5 working days.
If the student considers the response unacceptable and inconsistent with the alleged injustice, the student is to inform the involved faculty and/or Mount Mercy administrative staff member(s) within five working days that the response is considered unjust.
Then, if the student chooses, the student may initiate a grievance conference with the Program Director to whom the faculty/administrative personnel involved is responsible. A response to the student from the Program Director is due within 5 working days of the latter’s receipt of the student’s request for a grievance conference.

Formal Grievance Procedure

1. The formal written “Statement of Grievance” is to be submitted to the Provost within 10 working days following the student’s grievance conference with the Program Director. The student may select an uninvolved faculty member to assist him/her in working through the steps of the grievance procedure.
2. The formal “Statement of Grievance” must include:
1. the date(s), time(s) of day, and setting relevant to the alleged injustice.
2. names of the person or persons involved.
3. the nature of the problem and alleged injustice.
4. a narrative, objective description of events relevant to grievance.
5. the student’s previous attempts to resolve the problem and the specific results of those attempts.
6. objective assessment(s) with documentation concerning specific aspects of the alleged, initial injustice and subsequent responses from involved faculty member(s) and/or administrative personnel.
Within 5 working days following step 1 of the formal grievance procedure, the Provost has the responsibility to convene a committee that will hear both sides. This committee shall consist of persons representing the following categories:
1. Provost, or her representative serves, with no vote, as chair of the grievance committee. All other members shall vote.
2. One full-time Mount Mercy graduate faculty selected by the student.
3. One full-time Mount Mercy graduate faculty member selected by involved faculty or administrative staff member.
4. One graduate student representative, selected by the student, from the same class, specialty, or major field as the student.
5. The Program Director to be replaced by the department chairperson if the Program Director is the involved faculty member.
6. Mount Mercy’s Equal Opportunity Officer representative, if different from all of the above.
  1. Note: The student and the involved other individual have the responsibility for informing the Provost of the name of each person selected by each of them within 1 working day of the student’s distribution of the Statement of Grievance.
Student shall receive the written recommendation of the committee, postmarked no later than 3 working days after the final meeting of the committee. Copies of the recommendation shall also be sent to the involved faculty member and the Program Director.
The committee chairperson shall also send the committee’s recommendation to the President, who shall report in writing, normally within 5 working days, his decision to the committee the parties concerned. The President’s decision is final.

Graduate Academic Integrity Committee

Membership:

Two (2) full-time faculty members from two (2) different departments who teach in the graduate program, appointed by the Graduate Policy Committee for staggered two-year terms.
One (1) alternate full-time faculty member who teaches in the graduate program, appointed by the Graduate Policy Committee for a two-year term
Three (3) graduate students from two (2) different departments who are currently enrolled in the graduate program, elected by the Graduate Student Advisory Council for a two-year staggered term.
One (1) alternate graduate student who is currently enrolled in the graduate program, elected by the Graduate Student Advisory Council for a two-year term.

Ex-officio: Director for the Academic Center for Excellence, chair of committee

Yearly training will be held for committee members.

Graduate Academic Integrity Policy

Students will sign an acknowledgment at the beginning of their enrollment at Mount Mercy that they have been informed of the Graduate Academic Integrity Policy. The policy will be signed at the student’s initial registration to the program. A student will receive a copy and a copy will be retained in the advising folder.

All information regarding cases of suspected or confirmed Academic Dishonesty will be provided to only those with a need to know. Any suspected incident or dispute shall be raised to the student within five (5) working days of obtaining knowledge of the alleged violation. The following defines procedures, responsibilities and timelines for reporting suspected incidences of Academic Dishonesty.

Note: For the purposes of this policy, “working days” are Monday-Friday while classes are in session.

Informal Faculty Resolution

Mount Mercy encourages faculty members and students to informally resolve incidents of alleged academic dishonesty. Faculty members have the discretion to resolve cases of suspected academic dishonesty or misconduct on their own, including determining
the consequence imposed. Upon accusation of academic dishonesty or misconduct, either the student or the faculty member has
the right to refer the incident to the Program Director for informal resolution or the Graduate Academic Integrity Committee for formal resolution.

Faculty members will complete the Graduate Programs Academic Integrity Reporting Form for each informal faculty-resolved incident of academic dishonesty or misconduct. The form is to be signed by both the student and faculty member and sent to the Provost’s office by the faculty member. The record will detail the suspected academic dishonesty and the outcome.

Program Director Resolution

The Program Director may attempt to mediate and resolve the dispute over the suspected academic dishonesty or misconduct. If either the student or faculty member is not satisfied with the outcome, either party has the right to refer the incident to the Graduate Academic Integrity Committee. In such a case that the Program Director is the teacher of the class, the Assistant Provost would serve as the mediator.

Program Directors will complete the Program Director section of the Graduate Programs Academic Integrity Reporting form for all incidences of academic dishonesty or misconduct that he/she mediates. The form will detail the incident and any outcome, and be signed by all parties (faculty member, student and Program Director) and sent to the Provost’s office by the Program Director.

Academic Integrity Committee Resolution

In the event that an alleged incident of academic dishonesty or misconduct cannot be resolved informally with the student and faculty member, and/or the Program Director, the student or faculty member shall express their concerns in writing to the Provost, within ten (10) working days of the faculty member or Program Director’s decision.

Procedure Following Referral to the Academic Integrity Committee

The Provost shall notify the Academic Integrity Committee within five (5) working days of receipt of a complaint.
The Provost shall notify the interested parties in writing of the specific allegations of Academic Dishonesty within five (5) working days of the referral to the Provost, including a request for the submission of relevant written materials. Interested parties will then have five (5) working days to submit all relevant materials to the Provost’s office.
The Provost will provide all materials to the Graduate Academic Integrity Committee. Upon receipt, the voting members will decide within five (5) working days whether the allegations warrant a hearing. An affirmative vote of one of these members will warrant a hearing; otherwise the allegations will be closed because there is not sufficient evidence to proceed.
If a hearing is warranted, the chair will notify all parties and schedule a hearing within ten (10) working days. The chair will contact all parties in writing, along with the Provost, providing a brief statement of why a hearing was warranted.
Within these ten (10) working days, the Graduate Academic Integrity Committee may gather relevant information to the case. The Graduate Academic Integrity Committee may solicit information from other students in the class or other members of the Mount Mercy community at their discretion or upon request of any person involved in the allegation. At the hearing, the Graduate Academic Integrity Committee will meet with all parties and witnesses. The proceedings will be recorded; this record will be available on a need to know basis and maintained in the Provost’s office.
If the student wishes to challenge the allegations of Academic Dishonesty, he/she must appear before the Graduate Academic Integrity Committee at the hearing. If a student does not appear at the hearing, the student waives all rights of appeal. In the event of a conflicting schedule, a faculty member may choose not to attend the hearing and allow his/her written materials to state his/her side of the case.
If the student wishes to admit to the charges, he/she must state so in writing to the Graduate Academic Integrity Committee, which will consult with the student and instructor to determine the appropriate action.
A decision, by majority vote of the voting members present at the hearing, shall be made based on the evidence presented at the hearing, along with other relevant materials gained through investigation by the Graduate Academic Integrity Committee. A written letter with findings and recommendations shall be prepared by the Committee and submitted to the Provost, along with copies sent to both parties, within five (5) working days of the hearing. The Committee shall refer to the policy for possible consequences.
Once the findings and recommendations of the Graduate Academic Integrity Committee are submitted, within five (5) days the Provost shall issue a final decision and notify in writing the interested parties and the Graduate Academic Integrity Committee. The Provost may consider additional information prior to making the decision.
After receiving the final written decision of the Provost, any party to the dispute may appeal this decision. A written letter summarizing the grounds for contesting this decision must be submitted to the President of Mount Mercy, 210 Warde, within five (5) working days. Within thirty (30) working days, the Provost shall render a final written decision based upon review of the submitted information, findings, and recommendations. A copy shall be provided to the involved parties, the Provost, and the Graduate Academic Integrity Committee. The decision of the President is final.
In cases where an allegation of academic dishonesty is submitted towards the end of a fall, winter, or spring semester and members of the Graduate Academic Integrity Committee are not able to convene, the above mentioned procedure will require special modifications by the Provost. This may include but is not limited to modifications in the timeline for responding at each level of the process and may involve reconfiguration of the membership of the Graduate Academic Integrity Committee so that decisions are rendered in an equitable manner.
When an allegation of academic dishonesty involves two or more students, each student will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Consequences for Academic Dishonesty or Misconduct

Simple offense

Example: Student fails to properly cite sources one or two times in a paper, but the remainder of the paper is cited properly.

Serious offense

Examples: Student is caught looking over at another student’s test. Significant parts of a paper are not properly quoted and cited.

Types of Sanctions: The student receives a failing grade for the assignment, but is allowed to continue in the course.

Aggravated offense

Examples: Student submits significant portions of a paper from the Internet that is not his/her own. Organized cheating with multiple students. Stealing tests.

Types of Sanctions: The student receives a failing grade for the course.

Repeated offenses

Example: Student engages in academic misconduct in more than one course. Note: To monitor this type of misconduct, it is essential that faculty submit Academic Dishonesty Reports for each incident.

Types of Sanctions: Expulsion from Mount Mercy is warranted.

A more complete list of possible consequences is detailed below. One or more consequences may be appropriate.

Counseling: The student(s) may be referred to appropriate counseling for assistance and education that will help prevent future incidences of Academic Dishonesty.
Educational Sanction: The student(s) may be required to attend an educational program on academic integrity, ethics, or related subject. The student may receive instructions, re-do the assignment with consultation with the instructor, or complete a new, alternative assignment with consultation with the instructor. The student may be responsible for related expenses, including expenses for education, counseling, or treatment, if any expense is entailed.
Forfeiture of Grade on the Assignment: For the assignment to be given no credit, and the student(s) may continue the class with zero points for the assignment.
Failure of the Course: The student(s) will receive a grade of F for the course.
Exclusion from Mount Mercy facilities or activities: The student(s) may be prohibited from attending a class, undertaking
Mount Mercy employment, entering a building, participating in an extracurricular activity sponsored by the institution, representing Mount Mercy in an official capacity, or using other services provided by the institution. Such exclusion may be for a definite or indefinite period of time.
Probation: The student may be placed on probation for Academic Dishonesty. If further incidents of Academic Dishonesty occur, the student will be recommended for expulsion.
Academic Suspension: The student(s) may be involuntarily separated from Mount Mercy for a stated period of time after which readmission is possible. The Provost shall determine when the suspension will become effective. A student with one or more violations may be suspended from Mount Mercy for an indefinite period of time. A student suspended indefinitely may petition the Provost for reinstatement.
Expulsion: For a serious violation of the Academic Integrity Policy or repeated violations, the student(s) may be dismissed from Mount Mercy permanently.